TULSA - A jury has been seated in the fourth trial of former Tulsa Police officer Shannon Kepler, who is accused of killing his daughter's boyfriend in 2014.
Three mistrials have been declared in the case of Kepler, who was charged in the August 2014 fatal shooting of 19-year-old Jeremey Lake in Tulsa.
Kepler told investigators he acted in self-defense because he thought Lake was armed, but no weapon was found at the scene.
Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler has said in a statement that prosecutors and the Tulsa Police Department "are in full agreement that this case should proceed with prosecution."
In the most recent trial, held this summer, jurors deadlocked after almost three hours of deliberations.
Kunzweiler released the following statement at that time:
"After consultation with the Tulsa Police Department, we are in full agreement that this case should proceed with prosecution. As I have stated previously, the very nature of our criminal justice system is premised upon the finality of a verdict. Mr. Kepler deserves that and so does Jeremy Lake’s family. As with all individuals who are charged with a crime, the presumption of innocence remains until a judge or jury determines otherwise."
Opening statements are expected to start in the fourth trial on Thursday.
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